URHS’s Hickory Creek, observation car from the famous 20th Century Limited, has joined the roster of private rail cars on the 2021 Autumn Colors Express. The Creek will bring up the markers as one of the Chairman Class cars for this year’s train. The excursion, operated by Rail Excursion Management Co. (Railexco) runs annually through West Virginia’s famed New River Gorge. Tickets go on sale at noon on Monday, December 14.

The day-long, round-trip excursion, with departures on October 21, 22, 23 and 24, leaves from Huntington, WV bound for Hinton, WV. There, passengers will disembark for the Hinton Railroad Days festival, a 50+ year tradition. The route travels through West Virginia’s New River Gorge at the peak of fall foliage, and the train’s consist is made up of high-end, private rail cars from across the country.

“Hickory Creek is undeniably one of America’s premiere observation cars, and we’re overjoyed to partner with such a great nonprofit in URHS to bring this car to our passengers,” said Adam Auxier, CEO of Railexco. “We strive to introduce new and exciting railcars to our train every year, and we couldn’t be happier about the addition of the Hickory Creek.”

"Our organization's mission is to make the Hickory Creek as accessible to the public as possible,” said Kevin Phalon, President of URHS. “A trip like this, which attracts a national audience, is a perfect way to do that."

Rail Excursion Management Co.’s staff have a combined three decades of experience working in rail excursions, private railcar logistics, and rail charters. Railexco started operating the Autumn Colors Express in 2019, in the tradition of the long-running New River Train, which ceased in 2018.

Tickets go on sale promptly at noon on Monday, December 14, and seating is limited to 24 passengers per day. Event organizers expect this car to sell out quickly. More information can be found at https://www.autumncolorexpresswv.com/1312/